November 28, 2008

Well, it's been three wonderful years here at art esprit and I have all you dear readers out there to thank. We thought it fitting to have a little giveaway to say thanks for reading and supporting handmade - in fact - three prizes for three years! The more the merrier I say... so here we go!There will be 3 names picked at random from the comments section below on Monday December 1st for the prizes. You must include a link to your site so we can contact you for the winnings to be shipped!Included in the prizes are as follows:original artwork from the gallery, ceramic pieces and some lovely jewelry!Little peeks of the surprise boxes to follow tomorrow. Let the giveaway begin and thanks again!Update! :: We had an extraordinarily busy weekend at the gallery and so we decided to extend the comments until Friday on this post for the "giveaway"... photos to follow of the three boxes of goodies and posts until the drawing. We will draw the names with the number randomizer (your comment number) at noon on Friday!

November 25, 2008

Matthew Wyatt is a wonderful emerging artist. We have been carrying his work here at artstream since he began art school three years ago. These photographs are incredible statements of home and still life. Modern and soft at the same time. Available at the shop. Tomorrow I will announce my blogaversary give away contest! stay tuned....

November 24, 2008

it's warm inside! Brrrr it's cold out now though.Old man winter has blown in quickly. Don't you like thinking about warm mittens, fires and snuggly blankets though? I am also quite fond of wrapping my head around the next two months of celebrations in our household. We have so much to be thankful for and our gallery is certainly on that list! As Melanie pointed out with her post here, be mindful of the small happiness. What small joys have you found lately? I will let my photos do the talking below

November 18, 2008

Chronicle Books sent over a copy of Handmade Hellos: Fresh Greeting Card Projects from First -Rate Crafters. I have to say that the 25 projects in the book are really wonderful, well thought out and easy for most people to achieve. I am not always a "project book person" so this is saying a lot! There are great ideas which you could easily adapt for working with children or adults who might be shy with arts and crafts projects. Basic information on use of Gocco machines, stencils, hand binding and stencils are just some of the little gems found inside this book. There are patterns as well as plenty of illustrations and photos to keep you on track if you are unfamiliar with some of the processes shown. It's obvious to me that Eunice and Sabrina not only have great style, but chose really great people to create projects to fill out these pages. Great job!It's available here at Chronicle.

November 13, 2008

The Little Room makes lovely textile items and sent us a select grouping of pillows, scarves and now totes and aprons to add to the gallery. Each piece is handmade and lovely. The pillow here is grouped with a display of the beautiful Heather Smith Jones small works.

November 10, 2008

Just a little quick post as we are loading up the shop (sorry, it's a little late!) with all the goodness from the Lasting Impressions show.These are just three of the beautiful pieces you can peruse for now at flickr. Just click through the photo to see more shots of the show!

For illustration friday this week, the prompt was wise. I thought it would be wise to praise where praise was due. So I made this little mini poster today. The wisest choices in my life are being involved with two of the most beautiful, understanding loving people. You both know who you are.

November 06, 2008

Opens tomorrow - Friday the 7th at artstream gallery in Rochester NH. These little vases make me smile. They are so shapely and beautifully executed that I can't begin to tell you. Just come see them, or click through the photo to see more of Kristen Swanson's work. It truly rocks.

November 05, 2008

image on postcard: 3x4 foot woodcut on mullberry paper mounted in a plexiglass window to hang by Judith Heller Cassellyes you are invited!

some of the pedestals and wall works...looking into one of the windows in the frontWe are thrilled this morning to welcome a new show -(as well as a new era for America!) - entitled Lasting Impressions. The show features three local, yes, I mean Rochester, NH artists: Rose Theriault, Grace Youngren and Judith Heller Cassell, and introducing porcelain work by Kristen Swanson.You have seen a few sneak peeks of the works which were making their way to our walls and now we invite you to join us at the opening party this Friday night from 5-7 p.m.We are so pleased to offer this exhibition of printmaking - from intaglio to woodcut processes and everything inbetween as well as a few of the actual plates which have been made into the most beautiful artworks as well. If this were not enough, Kristen's porcelain with the intricate scrafitto work is gracing the pedestals throughout the main gallery.And for those of you who missed the last exhibition? We moved the beautiful pieces which are left to the Equinox gallery section. Hope to see you all on Friday night. Most of the work will be online at the shop too!

November 03, 2008

click photo to enlargethe lovely Leigh of YES gallery, Warren Rhode IslandIt's been awhile since our last interview and this is a first with another gallery owner - so sit back, get a nice cuppa and enjoy meeting the fabulous Leigh from YES Gallery, down in Warren, RI. Oh yes, and do note that she is having a wonderful exhibition called Itty/Bitty as shown below in the photo of the postcard. I have some work included in the exhibition along with some amazing artists, for the months of November and December.

susan: Tell us a little bit about your background:leigh: I graduated from (University of Hartford's) Hartford Art School in 1994 with a BFA, majoring in Experimental Studio (which focused on non-traditional use of media and concept-oriented art.) From there I moved to Boston and worked as a VISTA volunteer for two years, during which time I volunteered for the Revolving Museum, an amazing public arts organization (now in Lowell, MA.) I worked for them for a year or so after my VISTA stint ended, then took off on a 3 month cross country trip. Thereafter I hunkered down on Block Island (off the coast of Rhode Island) and started a job as the right hand woman to a new gallery owner (Eisenhauer Gallery.) I worked for her for seven years, the last two as Director of the gallery when the owner moved to Martha's Vineyard and opened a second location. Since college I've been an exhibiting regional artist, repped for several years by the (now defunct Mixed Media Gallery on Block Island.)susan: What is your vision for the gallery?leigh: My vision for the gallery is to create a vibrant, welcoming space showing visual art that can be appreciated by seasoned collectors and the average art lovers. The work is on the contemporary side, heavy on the mixed media, but not so far out there that it's inaccessible. There are both emerging and established artists involved, some never having been exhibited in galleries before, others with work hanging in museums. Being in a tax-free arts district (no sales tax on the art) is part of the overall vision to create a situation where people of all income levels can afford something. We have original work as low as $60 and as high as $4000. On top of that, 5% of our proceeds go to non-profit organization, which aligns with my belief in giving back to the community.

susan: What type of art is your favorite?leigh: Ooooh, tough question! Let's see. I'll use an example of an artist I found recently whose work blew me away, Trey Speegle (incidentally one of our Itty/Bitty artists this month, thanks, in part, to a dorky fan letter from me!) He uses vintage paint-by-numbers paintings which he alters with text. The phrases or words he chooses can be interpreted in a literal way, or more philosophically. Either way, they have humor. And a lot of color. I'm a big fan of color. I guess the bottom line is, I like work that can make me think, laugh, and please my eyes all at the same time.susan:What does a normal day look like around YES gallery?leigh: A normal day at YES includes a balance of chatting with/educating the customers, working on a variety of administrative things, and planning for the upcoming events. (With every exhibit we have an opening reception and then another event which could be live music or something like a painting demo. Next month with have a "Blessing of the Artists.")

susan: What are a few of your favorite blogs?leigh: Favorite blogs. Hmm. I'm not a huge blog reader, but I do keep up with blogs that my artists write and I look at a handful of the design blogs regularly.

susan: If you were on a desert island and could only bring one media, what you would take with you?leigh: Good question. I'd have to bring paint. I could graffiti the palm trees and rocks, write inspirational messages to myself so I don't get bummed about being stranded.

susan: Favorite dessert?leigh: Anything with sugar usually works, but it's a toss up between Key Lime Pie and some kind of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

Thanks so much Leigh for being part of art esprit's artist interviews! I look forward to the show next month and getting down to Warren RI soon! Here are the particulars on the gallery:

November 02, 2008

A peek at something rather "VACANT" still. A work in progress even. This is the first collage painting which I have almost finished for a collaborative project to be revealed early next year. I hope you have had a lovely weekend!